Rent Mulholland Drive (2001)

A very weird film that is nevertheless fascinating - Mulholland Drive review by Philip in Paradiso

This is very odd and rather unique film. On one level, it feels unfinished and gives you clues but no clear meaning or ending. One could argue the characters are not all developed and meaningful. It is frustrating and confusing. You would want it to be more linear and also there seems to be 2 plots, not one, and the link between the 2 is not clear at all, and the idea that some of it may be a dream only helps up to a point.

On the other hand, it is visually and musically amazing and mind-blowing, because the director is, in his own way, an artist and a genius. There is menace and mystery, mixed with a thriller-type sub-plot and enigma. Mostly, what fascinates is the rapport between the 2 heroines, who are stunningly beautiful. This turns the movie into some sort of dark, mysterious erotic thriller.

On balance, I recommend it, and it will make you wonder for days afterwards what this or that scene meant, and so on: not so many films do. And, after all, real life is a bit like that: we rarely have a linear plot we are able to follow...

Too much left unresolved, let down by the ending. - Mulholland Drive review by CP Customer

First of all the talents of David Lynch in this film are undeniable. The whole thing is a great display of originality and art, and beautifully shot. As the plot thickens and the story develops the viewers are left desperate to know what is going on and therein lies the biggest weakness of the film. The last 20 minutes do nothing to resolve anything, quite the opposite actually. Not sure if the whole thing is strung together by a supernatural explanation, or is it a mental disorder? Either way we can't be left speculating that much. An open ending is fine and often thought provoking but in this case it seems the director didn't have an ending or a resolution and couldn't explain it himself.

OR, maybe I'm just too dumb. Either way that left me feeling a bit irritated.

A Unique, Bold Mystery Thriller - Mulholland Drive review by GI

Director David Lynch's dark, sinister and distinctly unsettling thriller is an absolute masterpiece of modern cinema. On first viewing this will baffle and astound in equal measure but you'll want to go and watch it again very soon afterwards. I recommend you do because the clues to what is going on are all there if you are careful enough to spot them. If you are familiar with Lynch's work then this will be a bit easier as there's a narrative structure here that can be seen in some of his other work including his TV series Twin Peaks. Naomi Watts plays Betty, an aspiring young actress who arrives in Hollywood hoping to make it big in the movies. She takes up residence in her Aunt's apartment whilst her Aunt is away but is surprised when she finds the glamorous Rita (Laura Harring) hiding there. Rita has lost her memory after a mysterious car crash and Betty agrees to help her find out who she is and what has happened to her. This starts a nightmare chain of events that involves a film director (Justin Theroux) and his struggles with casting his new film under pressure from some nasty bad guys. There's a host of strange characters throughout the story and it involves murder, dark erotic sex and corruption. To give you a slight clue Lynch is obsessed with dreams and nightmares so bear that in mind when you're watching. I cannot recommend this film enough. Watts is superb, the story and vision unique and it's a film that will get you talking for hours after having seen it.